Chapter 10: The Young Bird's First Cry

  Cao Ju was a rustic and unsophisticated man who had never left Zhongyang Town from childhood to adulthood.

  But Wang Meng was different, he had been a canal commander, and in his early years followed the Yellow Turbans army rampaging across Nanyang, seeing much and knowing widely. Who is Mr Yuan An? Cao Qu didn't know, Cao Peng hadn't heard of him, but Wang Meng did. This Mr Yuan An was named Pang Ji, from Lumen Mountain in Xiangyang, a famous scholar of Jingzhou.

  Liu Biao had just arrived in Jingzhou and was still on shaky ground.

  At times Zhang Hu and Chen Sheng occupied Xiangyang, gathering crowds to create chaos.

  Liu Biao at that time had no soldiers and no generals, only holding the title of Jingzhou Mu, still bearing the name of a Han Dynasty clansman.

  However, Liu Biao was one of the Eight Consulters of his time, and his name shook the world.

  Don't underestimate the power of a name; sometimes it's worth more than thousands of troops and horses.

  Even in later generations, for a 'name', people fought with their heads broken and blood flowing. In the late Eastern Han dynasty, the effect of this name was even greater.

  Liu Biao invited out Pang Shiyuan and Kuai Yue under the name of "Eight Thoughts".

  Two men rode into Xiangyang City alone, relying on their silver tongues to persuade Zhang Hu and Chen Sheng's tens of thousands of troops to disperse like birds and beasts. Liu Biao thus gained control of Xiangyang without losing a single soldier or general, firing the first shot in his campaign to conquer Jingzhou. In other words, without Pang Ji, it would not have been easy for Liu Biao to gain a foothold in Jingzhou...

  In addition, Pong Chi has another name.

  In Jingzhou, there is a saying: "The two Pang brothers of Lumen, the younger brother is the best."

  Pang Ji, courtesy name Yuan'an, was the elder of the "Two Pangs of Lumen" and his younger brother was Pang Tong, a renowned scholar from Jingzhou.

  As for Sima Hui, he was a collateral branch of the Hongnong Sima clan and had a reputation as a child prodigy. He was also one of the famous scholars of Jingzhou.

  It was the name of Wen Pin, Wen Zhongye, that seemed somewhat obscure. At least Wang Meng didn't know what kind of background Wen Pin had, but he also admired Wen Pin's martial arts from the bottom of his heart. Cao Peng said 'come to learn', which really scared Wang Meng into a cold sweat.

  Not to mention Pang Ji and Sima Hui, even Wen Ping would find it as easy to capture Cao Piao as crushing an ant.

  What's going on?

  In this era, "to reason" means to slap in the face.

  Has this child gone mad?

  They actually want to slap Sima Hui and Pang Ji in the face!

  Wen Ping's face sank, his hand grasped the hilt of his sword, and his tiger eyes widened.

  A faint aura of killing intent quietly emanated from him, Cao Peng felt it most intensely, and he only felt his whole body turn cold, with a dry mouth and tongue.

  But he was not afraid!

  He is gambling.

  I hope Sima Hui will stand up and speak out. Since Sima Hui can be a famous scholar, in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, he is also the teacher of Zhuge Liang, Xu Shu, and Pang Tong, so his temperament must be different from ordinary people. In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Sima Hui's appearances are not many, but he leaves a deep impression on people.

  Elegant and good at knowing people!

  How can such a dignitary not tolerate others speaking?

  Unexpectedly, before Sima Hui could speak, Pang Ji hastily raised his hand and said seriously: "Zhong Ye, do not be rude."

  His expression was serious and solemn.

  Wen Ping looked very respectful to Pang Ji, and as soon as he saw Pang Ji open his mouth, he immediately withdrew his killing intent and also put away his sword. The corners of his mouth slightly curled up, drawing a gentle arc. That expression carried a hint of disdain, as if saying: Let's see what kind of reason this young whippersnapper can come up with.

  Simahui's eyes were warm and gentle as he quietly looked at Cao Peng.

  Cao Peng is not very tall, and even among his peers, he's a bit on the short side. Wang Mai is also thirteen years old, and he's already almost 170 centimeters tall, but Cao Peng is only just over 160 centimeters. Moreover, due to poor nutrition since birth, he looks especially thin and weak.

  A grayish-white undergarment washed clean, with a cotton gown worn over it.

  The robe seems a bit big, so it makes him look even thinner...

  Compared with everyone present, Cao Peng's attire was simply shabby and laughable. Yet, he held his head high, without the slightest hint of embarrassment.

  Those eyes, calm as still water, shone with a hint of pride.

  Simahui couldn't help but laugh!

  Don't look at his shabby clothes, but this demeanor is truly worthy of admiration.

  "What advice can you give me, young friend?"

  The Master said: "When three people walk together, there must be one who can be my teacher."

  So, whether it was Sima Hui or Pang Ji, neither of them were intolerant of different opinions.

  Wen Ping's face was expressionless, but in his heart, he secretly praised: This child is not very old, but looking at his demeanor, it's extraordinary.

  Cao Peng clenched his fists tightly, his fingernails even digging into his flesh, trying hard to keep himself calm.

  Just as he said before to Wang Mai, in this era, wanting to stand out? In addition to real skills, there are two other conditions.

  Family background.

  This is fame.

  Family background is one's origin, which is predetermined by heaven and cannot be changed by human effort.

  It's a different story if you have some reputation, this thing can be hyped up and profited from. Cao Cao doesn't care about one's background or moral character. But if you do have some reputation, then the treatment will naturally be different. And right now, Sima Hui and Pang Ji are undoubtedly a shortcut for him to gain reputation.

  Cao Peng first bowed and then said: "Just now I heard the two gentlemen discussing the overall situation of the world, but I am not talented and do not dare to agree hastily."

  Mr. Yuan An said Cao Cao is no match for Yuan Shao.

  "But the young master thought that Yuan Shao was just a man who sought fame and reputation, and was by no means a match for Cao Cao."

  Pang Ji just discussed the overall situation with Sima Hui, believing that Cao Cao, although he has the emperor in his hands, is unable to accomplish anything. The reason is very simple... Although Cao Cao occupies Yan Province and Qing Province, and now also has Yu Province. In name, he controls three provinces and uses the emperor's orders to command the vassals.

  Yanzhou and Qingzhou were left in a state of disrepair, and Cao Cao's execution of Bian Rang the previous year had greatly displeased the people of Yanzhou.

  It was only when there was no other choice that Cao Cao shifted his focus to Yuzhou. However, even then, this foundation still seemed insufficiently solid. Moreover, with Cao Cao being surrounded on all sides by enemies, after welcoming the Emperor, he became the target of everyone's criticism... In contrast, Yuan Shao, with four generations of high officials and dominating the north, had abundant wealth and provisions. Whether in terms of reputation or actual power, it was impossible for Cao Cao to defeat Yuan Shao. By welcoming the Emperor, he might have accelerated his own downfall.

  In short, Pong Ji doesn't think much of Cao Cao!

  The young man sitting next to Pang Ji looked at Cao Peng with great interest.

  "What profound insight does this young friend have?"

  "The little one thinks that Yuan Shao will surely be defeated!"

  "Oh, I'd love to hear more about it."

  Pang Ji couldn't help but feel a little moved, and he gestured for the young man beside him to take a seat.

  The young man didn't have much of an opinion, smiled and stood up, then gave up his seat.

  Cao Peng nodded and walked over to kneel down, "In the past, our great ancestor competed with Xiang Yu of Chu for supremacy. Although Xiang Yu was strong, he ultimately lost to our great ancestor. Why was that?

  Xiang Ji was a descendant of General Xiang Yan, while Gaozu was merely a minor official in Pei County.

  This is just like Yuan Shao and Cao Cao today. Although Yuan Shao was born into a family of four generations of high-ranking officials, he occupied the rich and prosperous land of Hebei, just like Xiang Yu's strength. However, I have heard that if it weren't for Yuan Shao, there would be no Dong Zhuo rebellion? It is said that at the beginning, the ten eunuchs caused chaos in the imperial court, and General-in-Chief He Jin wanted to eliminate them. Cao Cao had advised directly taking Zhang Rang and others, but was ultimately blocked by Yuan Shao, who spoke of summoning troops from the borders to rescue the emperor, without realizing he was inviting a wolf into his home.

  It can be seen from this that Yuan Shao is a superficial person and not a wise man...

  Pang Ji and Sima Hui couldn't help but be moved, exchanging a glance before looking at Cao Peng with a somewhat different gaze.

  Wang Meng and others who were shrinking in a corner of the house were also stunned.

  "Brother Xian, where did Ah Fu learn these things from?"

  Cao Ju opened his mouth and swallowed a mouthful of saliva, saying: "How would I know? This child was not good at talking before, and never discussed these things with me.

  "You'd better ask Hu Tou about it, he might know more than I do."

  Wang Meng immediately turned to Wang Mai and saw him shaking his head, saying: "I'm not clear either. Ah Fu used to play with me often before, but he never mentioned these things."

  "This child is indeed extraordinary!"

  Wang Meng and a few others whispered secretly, while on the other side, Cao Peng also gradually entered the state.

  "In my opinion, Yuan Shao is powerful, but not worth worrying about."

  "I'd like to hear more about it."

  "I observe Yuan Shao has ten defeats, while Cao Cao has ten victories."

  Yuan Shao was of noble birth and had many elaborate rituals. Cao Cao's nature was simple and straightforward, which is the key to success.

  Yuan Shao relied on force and violence, while Cao Cao relied on strategy and adaptability, which ultimately led to his victory.

  Since Emperor Huan and Emperor Ling, governance has been lost due to leniency. Yuan Shao used leniency to rescue, while Cao Cao used severity to correct; this is the victory of governance.

  Yuan Shao was generous on the outside but suspicious at heart, and he only employed people who were close to him. Cao Cao was simple in appearance but wise at heart, and he only employed people based on their talents. This is why he won.

  Yuan Shao was indecisive and often changed his plans, while Cao Cao would quickly put his strategies into action, which is why he succeeded.

  Yuan Shao was greedy for fame and reputation, while Cao Cao treated people with utmost sincerity. This is where his virtue lies.

  Yuan Shao favored petty men and distanced himself from wise ministers, Cao Cao worried about nothing being left undone, this is the victory of benevolence.

  Yuan Shao listened to slander and became confused, Cao Cao was wise and discerning, his subtle influence did not work, which led to his defeat.

  Yuan Shao confuses right and wrong, Cao Cao's laws are strict and severe, this is where the text excels.

  Yuan Shao was fond of empty prestige and did not know the essentials of warfare. Cao Cao was able to use a small force to defeat a large one, his military tactics were divine, this is the key to victory.

  Thus, Cao Cao has these ten advantages, and it is certain that he will defeat Yuan Shao sooner or later!

  In the late Eastern Han dynasty, speech was extremely free.

  Common people can discuss state affairs and comment on famous scholars, but the imperial court will not punish them for this.

  Especially among the celebrities, criticizing and praising high-ranking officials can be done at will. Those who are criticized, if they know about it, cannot blame or get angry, but instead should visit and ask for advice, and even express their gratitude. If they retaliate recklessly, they will be said to have insufficient temperament and a narrow heart.

  In history, in Jian'an 3 years, Yuan Shao provoked Cao Cao.

  Cao Cao had some concerns about Yuan Shao at the time, so his strategist, Guo Jia, who was then serving as a military advisor, presented this proposal of ten victories and ten defeats.

  Among these three heroes, if we say that Cao's most beloved strategist is not the well-known Zhuge Kongming.

  He admired Jia Xu and Guo Jia the most, and often felt sad that Guo Jia had died before achieving his ambitions. The mark left by Guo Jia in history is not much. This ten wins and ten defeats is also one of the most classic ones among them.

  Later generations have scholars who believe that the theory of "ten victories and ten defeats" did not come from Guo Jia's own hand. But Cao Peng firmly believed that this was indeed written by Guo Jia. Now, he intentionally sought fame in front of Pang Ji and Sima Hui, and what they were discussing happened to be a comparison between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, so he took it out without hesitation.

  Pang Ji and Sima Hui can be said to be at a loss for words with each other.

  This saying of ten victories and ten defeats is like the great Yu's bell, it makes people reflect deeply.

  Even Wen Ping, who was standing beside him, couldn't help but nod in agreement... Without saying anything else, just this insight alone was enough to make him look up to Cao Peng a few notches.

  "Are you saying Cao Cao will surely win?"

  The boy who had been standing silently beside Pongji suddenly spoke up.

  Cao Peng nodded without hesitation: "Exactly."

  "What if I'm not good enough?"

  "Huh?"

  "What if Cao Cao lost to Yuan Shao?"

  The boy's words had an inevitable tone of defiance.

  It was clear that Cao Peng's words had moved Pang Ji and Sima Hui, but they did not truly convince the young man.

  Cao Peng did not rush to answer. Under the gaze of Pang Ji and Sima Hui, he hesitated for a moment, then raised his head and said: "If Cao Cao loses, the people will suffer."

  ————————————————————————————————

  Brothers' support is too powerful!

  Waking up from a dream, it's already the first day of the new year.

  The old and new are deeply grateful, thank you, thank you...